NEWS NOTES and SPINS MAY 1 2015

I’m approached daily by musicians seeking answers to the mysteries of our industry. I’m proud to say we live in a state where information and resources are bountiful.

I attended four events in the past month that served no other purpose than to educate, develop, and promote all that is Colorado music, those who make it, and those who work on advancing it; the Denver Music Summit, FOCOMX, the Colorado Blues Society IBC finals, and the induction of six new bands into Spokesbuzz. Of course they’re not the only organizations or events designed for these purposes, but I was fortunate to attend events put on by all four.

Ultimately it is the fan, the audience, the listener, who is the deciding factor when it comes to how well we in the “business” are doing our jobs – and therefore it is important to have that perspective at the table when we’re talking about making music and getting it “out there.” Audience participation is appreciated. Please go visit those organizations online and find out what we have going on regionally.

Congratulations to Randall Dubis & Dan Treanor who will represent Colorado at the IBC in Memphis next winter in the solo/duo category and to Rex People’s and X-Factor who will represent in the band category. Good luck in Memphis next winter to all.

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NEW MUSIC in APRIL

Cracker has been added and identified as (CC) for the purposes of tracking Colorado music. Band co-founder Johnny Hickman is a local guy and has been for many years now. In a conversation with his wife recently I learned that she used to listen to me on the air at 96.1 K-SKY in the late 80s when she was in high school. I totally cracked up.

Also, I’ve added and tracked other artists who I’ve identified with a (CC) tag, namely Sara Cahoone, John Oates, Bill Frissel, Tia Fuller and others so I have no idea why it’s taken me so long to put Cracker in the mix. Cracker’s latest Berkeley To Bakersfield came out last fall. The band itself seems to be picking up some love among other local music supporters around the state … Cracker is making a few appearances locally this summer for you to keep your eyes open for.

I suspect that we’ll see Wendy Woo, the Railsplitters, and Ragged Union stick around on the charts the longest. Wendy is broadly known around the state, and does a great job of getting her work to interested djs. The Railsplitters and Ragged Union are bluegrass bands of note in the state, and there is no shortage of independent djs who do favor Colorado bluegrass and Americana releases.

JOIN ME THIS SUMMER AT:

June 6 – For Locals x Locals Presented by The Colorado Sound and Scene Magazine featuring Cracker, Post Paradise, Branded Bandits, Red Fox Run, Shaley Scott Band and Winchester Holiday. A music festival to celebrate and honor local musicians and local music industry vendors. The goal of this festival is to create a space for our musical community to thrive. If you are a local musician, we would like to offer you free admission and a beer. If you’re a fan, please be honest and support your local music scene with your ticket purchase. Treat this as an opportunity to meet new musicians, find out about local music industry and catch up with old friends.